Softball Game Preview: John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers vs. Briarwood Christian Lions

The John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers will venture away from home to challenge the Briarwood Christian Lions at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. John Carroll Catholic is coming into the matchup on a five-game losing streak.

John Carroll Catholic lost 14-4 to Pelham on Thursday.

Meanwhile, it may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Briarwood Christian ultimately got the result they hoped for on Thursday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 10-8 win over Shelby County. The victory was some much needed relief for the Lions as it spelled an end to their ten-game losing streak.

Larsen Cummings made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out 14 batters over eight innings while giving up three earned (and five unearned) runs off seven hits. Cummings was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-5 with one home run and two RBI. That home run marked the first that she launched this season.

In other batting news, Briarwood Christian got a massive performance out of MK Sweatt, who went 2-for-3 with one home run and two runs. Those two hits gave Sweatt a new career-high. Ashley Heinemann was another key player, going 3-for-5 with one home run and two runs.

Briarwood Christian was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .395. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.

John Carroll Catholic's defeat dropped their record down to 9-19. As for Briarwood Christian, their record now sits at 4-13-1.

Briarwood Christian's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: John Carroll Catholic hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .319. It's a different story for Briarwood Christian, though, as they've only averaged .241. Will they be able to contain John Carroll Catholic's hitters?

John Carroll Catholic came out on top in a nail-biter against Briarwood Christian in their previous meeting back in February of 2024, sneaking past 6-5. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Cavaliers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.